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Graff

The British jeweler Sir Laurence Graff (b. 1938) became utterly mesmerized by diamonds when he undertook his first apprenticeship at age 15 in London’s Hatton Garden jewelry district. It wasn't long before he established his now-celebrated eponymous brand, which produces engagement rings, necklaces, rings, earrings, stand-alone jewels, watches and more — all entirely in-house.

Graff had enrolled in classes at Central School of Arts and Crafts, and while he initially showed promise and was highly regarded, the shop owner, Mr. Schindler — who had his apprentice scrubbing floors and toilets — soon changed his tune, deeming him subpar. Undeterred, Graff learned to repair rings and designed small jewels at a humble workbench in his bedroom. He opened a 24-hour ring-repair service with a business partner and, in 1960, founded his luxury house. Two retail locations followed in London in 1962. Graff would go on to become one of the finest diamantaires in the world and was appointed an OBE in 2013 by Queen Elizabeth for his services to the jewelry industry.

Graff is known for handling some of the most famous diamonds in the world, including the Windsor Yellows, the Paragon, the Lesotho Promise and the Wittelsbach-Graff. He also purchased the 302.37-carat Graff Lesedi La Rona, which, at the time, was the largest diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America. The GIA certified the diamond — then the second-largest gem-quality rough diamond on record — as being of highest color and highest clarity. Lucara Diamond Corporation workers discovered the 1,109-carat rough diamond in 2015 at the Karowe mine in Botswana, and after Graff purchased the diamond in 2017, his gemologists and craftsmen spent more than 18 months polishing its final facets.

While many jewels, such as the Graff Lesedi La Rona, remain in Graff’s collection, he does sell extremely high-quality stand-alone jewels. Gems in his showrooms can reportedly fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars on average. Although these stones are perhaps slightly out of the budget of a typical Graff jewelry client, the house does work with more reasonably priced, but no less exceptional gems for its collections.

Naturally, diamonds feature prominently in Graff jewelry, which is known for being more avant-garde than traditional, although Graff does create classic engagement rings, too. The jeweler’s ready-to-wear collections integrate naturalistic motifs like butterflies, bows and sunbursts, as well as striking silhouettes like the crisscrossed Kiss, the clustered Threads and the swirling Inspired by Twombly line, which pays homage to the work of American painter and sculptor Cy Twombly. And while diamonds are the main focus for Graff, his jewelry occasionally features other precious and semiprecious stones.

Browse Graff watches, rings, earrings and other accessories on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$61,525
Styles
Related Creators
Graff 18K Yellow Gold 1.27 ct Yellow and White Diamond Ring
By Graff
Located in Southampton, PA
There’s something stunning about this impeccable ring from Graff. This luxury piece features a 2mm wide band crafted from 18K Yellow Gold, which comes ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Graff

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

GRAFF Frame Round Diamond 0.58ct J-VVS1-Ex GIA PT950 US size 5
By Graff
Located in Tokyo, JP
■Item Number: 23430702 ■Brand: Graff ■Product Name: Round Diamond Frame Ring ■Material: 1P Diamond (0.58ct J-VVS1-Ex), Side Diamonds, PT950 Platinum ■Weight: Approximately 2.1g (Appr...
Category

2010s English Graff

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

GRAFF 3.46 CaratTotal Weight Diamond Engagement Ring
By Graff
Located in Rome, IT
Elevate Your Love Story with the Exquisite Graff 4.16 ct Total Weight Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring in Platinum! 💍 Embark on a journey of timeless elegance and undeniable bea...
Category

2010s British Graff

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Graff Platinum Cushion Cut Diamond Promise Ring 0.90ct G/VS1
By Graff
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous platinum diamond engagement ring by Graff from the Promise collection. The centre of the ring is adorned with a cushion cut diamond weighing 0.90ct, G colour and VS1 clari...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Graff

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Graff Tilda’s Bows In Diamonds
By Graff
Located in Weston, MA
Capturing the delicacy of a freshly tied bow by hand, Graff diamonds recreate the silk out of lively stones. The Tilda’s bow collection is a life-like recre...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Graff

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Graff Tilda’s Bows In Diamonds
Graff Tilda’s Bows In Diamonds
Free Shipping
W 0.63 in L 0.69 in
Graff 0.57 Carat Diamond Promise Ring
By Graff
Located in London, GB
Here we have a fabulous diamond engagement ring from the luxury jewellery designer Graff. The ring features a single round brilliant cut diamond at the centre. This principal stone s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Graff

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Graff Diamond on Diamond Pendant White Gold Necklace
By Graff
Located in Feasterville, PA
The Graff Diamond on Diamond Pendant White Gold Necklace is more than just a piece of jewelry; it's a symbol of sophistication and unparal...
Category

2010s Graff

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Graff Diamond On Diamond White Gold Earrings
By Graff
Located in Feasterville, PA
The earring are intricately set with approximately 5.35 carats of diamonds. These diamonds are carefully selected for their exceptional quality and brilliance, ensuring that each ear...
Category

Early 2000s Graff

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

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Creators Similar to Graff

Graff jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Graff jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Graff jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Graff diamond jewelry & watches, from our inventory of 146, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 153 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry & watches by David Morris, Hancocks, and David Jerome. Prices for Graff jewelry & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,882 and tops out at $762,713, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $62,000.
Questions About Graff
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    Yes, Graff is high-end. Since its founding by Sir Laurence Graff, the British jewelry maker has become well known for carefully crafting jewelry using premium precious metals and gemstones. Graff is known for handling some of the most famous diamonds in the world, including the Windsor Yellows, the Paragon, the Lesotho Promise and the Wittelsbach-Graff. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Graff jewelry.

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